Introduction to the Tour of Honor
A caravan of 37 Southern California veterans — who served in World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War — were treated to a special honor at LAX on Sunday, May 18. The cohort of veterans were flown out to visit Washington D.C. on Friday for an all-expenses-paid weekend trip, during which they toured various museums and memorials, including the National Museum of the U.S. Army, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
The Tour Experience
At each stop, they received priority access, special recognition and often a hero’s welcome from museum staffers and volunteers. The trip was organized and paid for by The Honor Flight Southland, the Los Angeles and Orange County chapter of the nationwide Honor Flight Network.
Hundreds gather to welcome home a group of military veterans that just did a Tour of Honor at Washington DC. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)
Welcome Home Celebration
After their weekend touring monuments and museums, the veterans were welcomed home by throngs of people at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Family members, local community service organizations and strangers gathered at the airport to pay tribute to the veterans as they walked through the baggage claim area in Terminal 1, sporting “welcome home” signs, singing patriotic songs and more.
The Impact of the Tour
The tour and the welcome home celebration served as a reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the veterans. It was a chance for the community to come together and show appreciation for their service. Columnist Melissa Heckscher contributed to this report.
Conclusion
The Tour of Honor was a heartwarming tribute to the veterans who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. The all-expenses-paid trip and the welcome home celebration were a small token of appreciation for their sacrifices and bravery. It is essential to continue honoring and recognizing the service of our veterans, and events like the Tour of Honor play a significant role in doing so.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the Tour of Honor?
A: The Tour of Honor was a trip organized by The Honor Flight Southland to take 37 Southern California veterans to Washington D.C. to visit various museums and memorials.
Q: Which wars did the veterans serve in?
A: The veterans served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War.
Q: How were the veterans welcomed home?
A: The veterans were welcomed home by throngs of people at Los Angeles International Airport, with family members, local community service organizations, and strangers gathering to pay tribute to them.
Q: Who organized the trip?
A: The trip was organized and paid for by The Honor Flight Southland, the Los Angeles and Orange County chapter of the nationwide Honor Flight Network.
